John: To me, this question is a sensitive issue. I have three Brothers, two heterosexual and one homosexual. When sexual orientation isn't a topic of conversation, and time is spent with all three, you would come to know three men who are law abiding, hard working, honest and good of heart.
Few people meet another heterosexual and think "he or she I don't like because they are a heterosexual." I don't know of anyone who meets another heterosexual and instantly places a value judgment on them based upon what transpires behind closed bedroom doors? But if the word "homosexual" is connected to the individual, immediately they are judged, (and all too often hated), based strictly on their sexual orientation and no other factors.
Homosexuals endure much hatred and it saddens me. The Bible is often quoted to denounce homosexuality, they say it's GOD's word. I'm fascinated by the fact that GOD's word also states we will not judge, for judgment is His and His alone, (judge not lest ye be judged). I don't understand how contents of the Bible are used in part for the benefit of a party against an issue or group of people, whatever the issue, or whomever the group may be.
Ken Hutcherson and his kind infuriate me! The Bible was written by man over extended periods of time. Either the Bible is to be taken literally, or the Bible is not to be taken at all. It is GOD'sword and is not to be interpreted, (or even rewritten), yet many people will do just that, interpreting their views of it and also rationalizing what GOD said about them as heterosexuals, and whether or not they themselves are sinners in GOD's eyes?
One of the many arguments out there is gays should not be married because gays cannot bring children in to the world and marriage is between a man and a woman to procreate. There are thousands upon thousands of heterosexual couples who unfortunately can not bear children, this isn't a reason to deny marriage to two human beings in love, nor is the fact that one, (or both), may be sterile a reason to strip them of their marriage certificate!
America stands in part for equality and is the land of the free. Homosexuals have been denied our basic rights over and over again, it is hateful and it is discriminatory. Gays and Lesbians pay income taxes, (same as you and me). Gays and Lesbians pay mortgage payments, as do the majority of heterosexuals, they make auto payments, as do the majority of heterosexuals. They go to war and can be the target of death, same as heterosexuals.
If the husband of a wife should commit murder and be sentenced to life in prison, family values don't seem to apply to the single Mother who remains in that household? If the wife should commit adultery and leave the husband and children, again family values don't seem to apply. Yet when two Gays or Lesbians, or one Gay or Lesbian raises a child, family values are preached at nauseam - to the fullest extent.
An argument is homosexuality destroys the family. How does it destroy a family? If destroying the family is because Gays and Lesbians can not procreate, again neither can countless heterosexual couples. Sexual orientation is not a basis for good or bad parenting. Many parents aren't comfortable discussing sexual matters within the home, and therefore many do not. Providing love and care is what a child needs, gender of the person providing it is irrelevant, race of the person providing it is irrelevant, and sexual orientation is irrelevant as well.
Some argue that male and female roles teach the child to be procreating heterosexuals. Utter nonsense! If this were the case, there would be no homosexuals or bisexuals to begin with. If this were the case, single Mothers and single Fathers would be unable to raise a procreating heterosexual on their own.
Another thing one hears is that Gays and Lesbians shouldn't be given special rights. What special rights are those? What do they possess that we do not have and have had for centuries? Fact of the matter is, they are denied rights we as heterosexuals enjoy and often take for granted. Their fight is for equality. Equal rights should be the right of every American citizen, not a right decided by a majority or religious group. Once again, Gays and Lesbians pay their taxes same as us, so let us not deny them the same rights we as heterosexuals enjoy because of our own prejudice.
Often you will hear it's deviant behavior or disgusting. It never occurs to heterosexuals that from the point of view of a Gay or Lesbian, wouldn't, (or couldn't) our lifestyle be viewed the same way? You don't see Gays or Lesbians quoting from the Bible to point out the sins of the heterosexual, yet the reverse is never true. Didn't GOD send his only son "Jesus" to be placed upon the cross to die for our sins? If this is truth, than what sins do any of us have in GOD's eyes?
By Gender, is a man better than a female? By skin color, is a Hispanic better than a Caucasian? By eye color, are brown eyed people better than the blue eyed? By hair color, are blondes better than brunettes? By religion, are Catholics better than Lutherans? By political affiliation, are Democrats better than Republicans? By sexual orientation, are heterosexuals better than homosexuals, or are they just different?
America represents diversity as well. We have whites, we have blacks, we have males and we have females. We have Christians and we have Atheists. We have married couples, widows, widowers, divorced, singles. We have two parent households and we have single parent households. We have the elderly and we have teenagers. We have straights and we have gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals , asexual. The fact we have diversity is part of what makes this country so great!
I ask anyone to think a few moments about the statement made by Ken Hutcherson....Hutcherson says, "until conservative Christians make their small voice a dominating one, there is nothing that will stop President Obama from pushing for the legalization of same-sex "marriage."
Here is what worries me about Mr. Hutcherson's statement. First and foremost, only GOD may judge! Hutcherson, (a Senior Pastor), who doesn't understand this is of monumental concern to me! Hutcherson will preach that homosexuals will not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Mr. Hutcherson, by GOD's own words, YOU, (a Senior Pastor), will NOT enter the kingdom of Heaven! Rationalize that all you would like, but fact remains the same. The Bible must be taken literally or not taken at all. We can't use parts of it to justify our own individual bigotry.
Mr. Hutcherson's statement about making the voice a "dominating" one should scare the Hell out of any sane person! How many wars are started and how many lives are lost in the name of GOD? Pastor Hutcherson's train of thought is no different from that of an Adolph Hitler. Domination and force are not an acceptable solution Pastor Hutcherson! Shame on you and shame on all who think as you!
Frankly, much of the Bible I do not understand. For instance, if Adam was created first, and Eve from the removal of Adam's rib, and if Adam and Eve were the only two human beings on the face of the earth, how is it that their children didn't sleep with their own siblings to procreate, or maybe the male children slept with Eve too? They certainly didn't pop over to the nearest adoption agency. GOD forbids this, yet it happened?
If Adam and Eve were of the same race, how do the other races come in to existence, how about hair color, eye color, the various languages, etc.
Christians often quote the Bible so adamantly, their minds often close to rational thought. I am always amazed at the judgment I see posted toward homosexuals and the language used to describe them. Based on the word of GOD, every single one of these people will spend an eternity in Hell, non negotiable, yet many conveniently overlook it because they are "Christians" and certainly it can't apply to them?
In America, I will always support equal rights and I strongly believe, (as did our Forefathers), that church and state are to be separate. Most Republicans have never been able to get passed this. I personally believe the GOP has suffered because of it, and some of the biggest sins have been committed by "men of GOD." Religion hurts Republicans more than is realized. As long as church and state are not separate as intended, I believe it will continue to do so.
I truly hope Obama will support Gay Marriage! American citizens, (straight or gay), must not be discriminated against. I, for one, am not the least bit threatened by approval of gay marriage in America. It has absolutely no impact on heterosexual relationships or their marriages.
